The Managing Director of ARB Apex Bank PLC, Mr. Alex Kwasi Awuah, has issued a passionate call to action for all Ghanaians to play a personal role in restoring the country’s dwindling forest reserves. Expressing grave concern over the rising rate of deforestation, he cited illegal mining (galamsey) and the indiscriminate felling of trees as key drivers behind Ghana’s environmental degradation.
Mr. Awuah made the remarks during the commissioning ceremony of a state-of-the-art training center at Juaben Rural Bank PLC in the Ashanti Region. Addressing a gathering of stakeholders, bank staff, traditional authorities, and community members, the ARB Apex Bank MD described the state of Ghana’s forests as “alarming” and warned that urgent, community-driven solutions are needed to reverse the damage.
“Our forests are vanishing at a disturbing pace. If every Ghanaian made the commitment to plant just one tree each year, the collective impact could transform our environment,” Mr. Awuah declared. “Tree is life, and if we continue to destroy our forests without replenishment, we will face the painful consequences — including the threat of food scarcity in the near future.”
He lamented what he described as a decline in environmental consciousness, particularly among the youth. In the past, he noted, farming and tree planting were embraced as a core part of Ghanaian culture. Today, however, such values are being lost, and with them, the nation’s natural heritage.
The newly inaugurated training center, according to Mr. Awuah, is not only a tool for capacity building within the banking sector but also a symbol of community advancement, reminding Ghanaians of their role in national development — including environmental stewardship.
In a related statement, Mr. Noble Augustine Awere Damoah, Chief Executive Officer of Juaben Rural Bank PLC, urged Ghanaians to prioritize financial security by banking their money instead of keeping it at home. He warned that keeping large sums of money at home exposes individuals to armed robbery and other financial risks.
“Banking your money is not just a matter of convenience; it’s about protecting what you’ve worked hard for,” Mr. Damoah emphasized. He added that the new training center would serve as a platform to upgrade the skills of the bank’s staff and equip the youth in the Juaben community with practical knowledge for economic empowerment.
The Board Chairman of Juaben Rural Bank, Nana Dr. Appiagyei Dankawoso, also took the opportunity to thank Mr. Awuah, the board, and the bank’s management for their efforts in realizing the vision of the training facility. He noted that the center will play a crucial role in refreshing and retraining staff, ultimately leading to improved customer service and operational efficiency.
The event ended on a high note, with stakeholders praising the collaborative spirit that made the project possible and echoing the urgent call for Ghanaians to recommit themselves to both environmental sustainability and financial discipline.
